We’ve featured the NSR50 before – it’s easily the best of the 50cc bikes to come out of Japan in the last couple of decades. What makes this particular example noteworthy is that it’s somehow claimed to be street legal. Seeing as Honda specifically sold these as non street-legal, I assumed that there would be more required than simply slapping …
Gixxer Tourer – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R 1100
Post-Sale Update: This Suzuki GSX-R 1100 did not meet reserve at $4,450. Following on up a likely touring bike with a giant front fairing – the BMW R65, today we’ve got a much more unlikely touring candidate – the Suzuki GSX-R 1100. This first year example has had a Targa fairing added, adding tremendous wind protection and allowing for a …
1988 Kawasaki KR-1
In the late 80’s, Kawi had some success with their KR250 road racer, and released the Kawasaki KR-1 as a wonderful little two-stroke race rep. It was quite successful, triggering increased competition from the big 4, and it set off a 250cc 2-stroke war among the Japanese – unfortunately us Americans didn’t get to enjoy these little demons. Well, 25 …
1966 Yamaha YCS1 Racer
The Yamaha YCS1 was a 180cc streetbike that utilized special cast iron cylinder sleeves and Yammy’s well-known Autolube system. While they offered a factory road racer option, this racer is a non-factory effort based on the stock frame that is claimed to have some history at Daytona. Find this Yamaha YCS1 Racer here on Craigslist for $3,000 in Chicago, Illinois. …
A Different Shade of Green – Kawasaki KLR650
Kawasaki’s trademark green has been around for decades – they even identify their MX racing effort as Team Green. But today, we have a Kawi that works for a different green…the US Marine Corps.
Ninja Warrior – 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Custom
Normally, mention of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R would lead to thoughts of a mid-sized on-road tourer, though it was more popular in Europe than it was here in the States. Today, we feature something quite unexpected – a 650R that’s been seriously modified to tackle all kinds of terrain.
1989 Honda NT650 Hawk
Frank Wu, this post is for you! In the late 80s, Honda introduced one of the first modern production naked motorcycles. Though the Honda NT650 (also known as the Hawk) was not a commercial success, it went on to inspire more prevalent motorcycles like the Suzuki SV650N, and has become an absolute cult favorite.
First Year Fizzer – 1987 Yamaha FZR1000
We continue with what’s become a Yamaha sportbike week with the Yamaha FZR1000 – predecessor to the now-ubiquitous Yamaha R1. The Fizzer was an instant classic when it was introduced in 1987. Just two years later, Cycle World named it the “Bike of the Decade”, thanks in part to a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of …
1986 Honda NS400R
Post Listing Update: This NS400R did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $5,101. The seller then relisted the bike 7 times trying to get a bite at $6,500, but it never happened. The NS400R was arguably one of the best handlers Honda produced in the 80s and early 90s. A nifty V3 2-stroke engine pumps out about 70 …
Subaru Boxer Power – 1984 Yamaha Venture Trike
Post Listing Update: This interesting trike got no action at the opening bid of $5,000. The Yamaha Venture Royale was an upscale tourer designed to compete with the Goldwing. Though it was a solid motorcycle, the most exciting thing about it was that Yamaha took the engine and modded it to become the heart of the genre-shifting V-Max. Today we’re …
1 of 1183 – 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post-Sale Update: After 22 bids on eBay, this Suzuki XN85 Turbo sold for $2,500. The Suzuki XN85 is the rarest of all the Japanese production Turbo bikes. This example has covered 33,000 miles and suffers from a non-original paint job. Find it here on eBay.
1971 Honda Mini Trail 50 K2
We’re sure plenty of our wonderful readers have seat time on one of these classics, so here’s your shot at some nostalgia: a pristine Honda Mini Trail 50 K2.
1993 Kawasaki KSR 50
Post Sale Update: After 21 bids on eBay, this KSR sold for $630.01. This might actually be one of the rarest Kawi’s in the US right now. They never made a 50cc version to compete with the other Japanese streetbikes of the 80s, but here’s an imported mini supermoto that’s hard to find in the US. It has some needs, …
1974 Yamaha TX750
Post Sale Update – This TX750 sold for the opening bid of $1,400 – not a bad deal! Made only for two years, the TX750 was Yamaha’s attempt of creating a parallel twin with the smoothness of an inline four engine. Using a pair of balancers (called Omni-Phase), it eliminated vibration to a level never seen before in a twin. …
The Rarest Turbo – 1983 Suzuki XN85
Post Sale Update: This XN85 sold for the BIN of $7,495. On the market for less than a year, Suzuki XN85 was the first factory bike to feature a 16-inch front wheel – previously reserved for race bikes. That wheel, combined with low clip-ons and a Suzuki Full Floater rear suspension made it a nearly peerless handler for the time. …